3301

Colonel Samuel Colt Presentation Cased and Deluxe Factory Engraved Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer Revolv

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
Colonel Samuel Colt Presentation Cased and Deluxe Factory Engraved Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer Revolv
This is an extremely rare example of a Colonel Colt Presentation Factory Engraved Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket Revolver with charter oak grip that was manufactured in 1857. This "Model 2" revolver has an .28 caliber, octagon barrel roll-stamped with the second type Colt/Hartford address, round loading lever with octagon base, five-shot cylinder roll-engraved with the Cabin and Indian scene and cylinder pin retaining screw on the right side of the frame. The serial number, "8515" is visible on the underside of the barrel and the bottom of the butt. The revolver has deluxe scroll engraving on a punch-dot background and is fitted with the rare "Charter Oak" grip. The right side of the grip is inlaid with a silver shield engraved: "Sylvester Bliss/Presented by/Col. Colt/Aug. 1857./Stock of the Charter Oak". The revolver is complete with a mahogany, American Style, factory case. The case has a red velvet lining and five compartments. The case contains the following accessories: (1) cardboard container of 100 French percussion caps with a green paper wrapper, (2) pocket model powder flask with brown lacquer body and gold-plated top and charger; both sides of the flask are embossed with an eagle holding and un-decorated powder flask in its left talon and a revolver in its right, and (3) brass bow-leg mold for .28 caliber round ball and conical bullet with "COLT'S/PATENT" marking on the iron spruce cutter and "B" on the right block. The deluxe Germanic scroll and punch-dot engraving was executed by master engraver Gustave Young or his shop. Only a very few presentation Colt Model 1855 Side Hammer revolvers were stocked with wood from the famous Connecticut "Charter Oak" and presented to Samuel Colt's "Allies". Colt expert R.L. Wilson notes in "THE BOOK OF COLT REVOLVERS" that these Charter Oak revolvers "form one of the most interesting and desirable groups in the field of presentation percussion Colt firearms". This exact revolver is photographed on page 205 of ANTIQUE ARMS ANNUAL with the caption stating it was from the Charles Bricken Collection.
BBL: 3 1/2 inch octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 28 Percussion
Finish: blue
Grips: charter oak
Serial Number: 8515


Very good. The revolver has a silver-gray patina with traces of the original blue and casehardened finish on the underside of the barrel and the sides of the loading lever. The engraving is crisp and deep and the barrel markings are sharp. The cylinder retains about 40% of the Cabin and Indian scene. There is scattered pitting on the lower portion of the barrel lug and on the frame ahead of the trigger. The cylinder has scattered pitting and the sides of the cylinder and nipple recesses are battered. The rare Charter Oak grip is in fine condition with one small chip on the front of the butt. The inlaid shield is in fine condition with crisp engraving. The exterior of the mahogany case is in very good condition with only minor handling and storage marks. The red velvet case lining is faded and has minor compression marks and stains along with a small tear cause by the revolver front sight. The percussion cap carton is in good condition. The powder flak is very good with no dents and most of the brown lacquer finish on the body and about 50% of the gold-plated finish on the top and charger. The brass, bow leg, bullet mold is in fine condition with light handling wear. This revolver is a good example of a very rare Charter Oak presentation Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer revolver with Gustave Young deluxe engraving and factory case and accessories.